Cole the casualty as Owen returns
Midfielder Joe Cole is set to make way for Michael Owen’s return to the England side for tonight’s World Cup qualifier against Northern Ireland - despite his match-winning goal against Wales.
Owen was suspended for the weekend tie in Cardiff, when Cole’s deflected strike secured victory, but manager Sven-Goran Eriksson is poised to hand the striker an immediate recall in Belfast.
“If Michael Owen is 100% fit and there’s a big game, I think the team is weaker without him. He’s a goalscorer, he’s clever and he’s cold in that he is not nervous before big games,” he explained.
David Beckham, who is set to retain his central holding role, could not imagine England playing without a fit Michael Owen, who has missed just three of the 31 competitive games under Eriksson through injury or suspension.
“Any team with Michael Owen is stronger. He is one of the best goalscorers around and a great player. He showed that last season at Real Madrid and shows it in every game he plays for England,” Beckham declared.
Eriksson, meanwhile, has no qualms about changing a winning team.
“Absolutely not. With Lazio, I almost changed every time in rotating as we were in the Champions League,” he stressed.
Shaun Wright-Phillips had nevertheless seemed in danger of losing his place, having been substituted first in Cardiff and not previously being a regular in the side.
However, it was Cole who was left on the sidelines during the team’s final training session at Windsor Park yesterday, with Eriksson using Wright-Phillips on the right side of another 4-3-3 formation.
With Wayne Rooney switched over to the left, albeit playing close to Owen, that means Beckham will continue to patrol central midfield with Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard.
Eriksson nevertheless admitted that worries over the form and fitness of Gerrard and Lampard had been occupying his thoughts. “Very much so, to be honest,” he confessed.
“Steven Gerrard is coming back from an injury and played his first game for rather a long time on Saturday. Frank Lampard, if you talk to him, is a slow starter to a season and is not in the best of form.
“But anyhow, they are that good they should play anyhow, even if they are not 100% fit. They are both among the best midfielders in the world and I think they will do better than they did on Saturday.”
Eriksson’s intended formation for tonight’s game was first tried out against Holland in a friendly last season, albeit with only limited success in a goalless draw.
He is nevertheless hoping Rooney will be able to provide support for Owen from the left flank, where he played for Manchester United for much of last season.
“I asked what his best position is and he said ‘I don’t know’,” revealed Eriksson. “But he can play anywhere. He is happy to play football and it really doesn’t matter to him where he plays.”
Captain Beckham added: “Wayne can play any position but the way he plays for Manchester United, just off the main striker, is unstoppable. He runs at players and that is what causes teams most problems.”
Rooney remains England’s potential match-winner, especially in a major tournament, but Eriksson is confident his team could match Brazil, who dazzled in their 5-0 weekend victory against Chile to clinch a World Cup place.
Asked if England could yet reach Brazil’s level, he insisted: “Yes. Brazil are the most technical team in the world but football is not only about technique.
“We were almost there four years ago and if England have to meet Brazil again, they would not have an easy game against us.
“But I can’t be concerned about that right now, we have to qualify for the World Cup before we concentrate on Brazil and the other teams that will be there.”
